Pliable protective draperies for safety helmets

ABSTRACT

Pliable draping apparatus or systems for use with a safety helmet for protecting a user&#39;s face, neck and/or ears. The pliable draping material includes a helmet engaging portion and a protection portion coupled to the helmet engaging portion. The protection portion protects at least one of a user&#39;s mouth, neck, and ears. The protection apparatus also includes a helmet engaging portion with features allowing easy removing coupling to preexisting clips on various types of safety helmets. In one illustrative embodiment, the helmet engaging portion may be formed as a band of elastic material having reinforced slits for connection to attachment clips on different safety helmets. In some embodiments, the pliable draping system may include a removable and adjustable face mask portion for protection of a user&#39;s face. The system may include a sleeve allowing the face mask portion to be stored when not in use.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/608,401, which was filed Dec. 20, 2017 and to Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/646,458, which was filed Mar. 22, 2018, each of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to insulation and protection and more particularly relates to an apparatus for insulating and protecting a user wearing a helmet.

BACKGROUND

Protective helmets worn by search and rescue personnel and climbing helmets worn by rock climbers are intended to protect the head from the force of impacts. Standards and certifications for such helmets include: Rescue and Work at height Certifications: CE EN 397-CE EN 50365, ANSI Z89.1-2009 type I class E, CE EN 12492*, UIAA, and ANSI Z89.1-2009 type I class C, EAC and Climbing Helmet Certification(s): CE EN 12492, UIAA rt. Each of these standards is incorporated by reference herein. While such helmets provide protection from impacts, conventional helmets do not provide protection from the elements. For those individuals participating in activities requiring a helmet during the winter months, exposure to the elements becomes a major concern. However, these conventional helmets do not provide insulation to keep the user warm and typically do not protect a user's face and neck from the elements.

A user cannot simply wear an insulative layer, such as a stocking cap under a such a helmet. For these types of helmets, the protective headgear suspension system is just as important as the outer shell. Combined, the outer shell and suspension system work together to protect the user by absorbing impact from falling objects or blows to the head. For maximum protection, the suspension systems headband must be adjusted to ensure total contact with the head, any interference from a heavy weight material used to insulate the face or neck, placed between the user's head and the suspension system, may interfere with the proper adjustment of the suspension system and therefor pose a safety risk from an improperly fitted helmet suspension system. Additionally, the chin strap is used to secure the helmet on the user's head. Interference with the chinstrap should be avoided. Otherwise the chin strap has a possibility of coming off during a fall, or by being struck by an object.

One attempt to address this shortcoming is found in the inventor's prior patent application Ser. No. 13/866,400 filed Apr. 19, 2013 and published as US-2013-0276215, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Such application details one protective drapery for use with a helmet, that uses a separate band placed around the helmet with adjustable tension for securement.

A system or device that allowed connection to a helmet without a secondary structure would be an improvement in the art. Such a system or device that could be used with different types and brands of helmets without modification would be a further improvement in the art.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a pliable draping apparatus or system for use with a safety helmet for protecting a user's face, neck and/or ears. The pliable draping material includes a helmet engaging portion and a protection portion coupled to the helmet engaging portion. The protection portion protects at least one of a user's mouth, neck, and ears. The protection apparatus also includes a helmet engaging portion with features allowing easy removing coupling to preexisting clips on various types of safety helmets. In one illustrative embodiment, the helmet engaging portion may be formed as a band of elastic material having reinforced slits for connection to attachment clips on different safety helmets. In some embodiments, the band may be formed by aligning and securing two separate elastic bands together using the space therebetween to form the slits.

In some embodiments, the pliable draping system may include a removable and adjustable face mask portion for protection of a user's face. The system may include a sleeve allowing the face mask portion to be stored when not in use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the various drawings are for illustrative purposes only. The nature of the present disclosure, as well as other embodiments in accordance with this disclosure, may be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, to the appended claims, and to the several drawings.

FIG. 1A is a side view of a first embodiment of a protective drapery in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, shown in situ on a protective helmet.

FIGS. 1B and 1C are front and side views of the embodiment of FIG. 1A, with a face mask drapery installed.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are left and right side views of a second embodiment of a protective drapery in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, shown in situ on a protective helmet.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are closeup views of portions of two embodiments similar to FIGS. 1A through 2B, showing structural details thereof for connection with, or access to, to helmet structures.

FIGS. 3C, 3D and 3E are close ups of portions of other embodiments of protective draperies, showing some structural details thereof.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a face mask drapery for use with a drapery system in accordance the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the embodiments herein described, while illustrative, are not intended to so limit this disclosure or the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will also understand that various combinations or modifications of the embodiments presented herein can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. All such alternate embodiments are within the scope of the present disclosure.

Turning to FIGS. 1A through 1C, a first embodiment of a protective headgear drapery system 10 in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure is depicted. As depicted, the system 10 is designed to secure to the helmet H via the headlamp retainer clips RC and is designed not to interfere with the suspension system or chinstrap of the helmet H. System 10 includes an outer cover 100 that stretches over the outer shell of the protective headgear and covers the back of the head, neck and ears with a thermal insulating material that protects against cold and also limits wind permeation and repels water.

As depicted, the outer cover 100 is a two-piece design which includes a first protection portion 102 (shown in isolation in FIG. 1) and a face mask portion 104 (shown in detached isolation in FIG. 4). First protection portion 102 has an attachment portion 200, that may include a band 202 which is configured to encircle and resiliently conform to the shape of the helmet H to position and help retain the cover 100 thereon. Band 202 may include an elastic material such as neoprene, lycra, etc. Where appropriate, the band 202 may have a reinforcing layer of fabric disposed on a rear side thereof to help reduce wear.

Helmet H, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a retainer clip RC with both upper and lower members, under which a headlamp band can be placed for use. As best depicted in FIG. 3A, attachment portion 200 may include features for attachment to these clips RC. As depicted, one embodiment of an attachment feature 300 may be an elongated slit 301 that is disposed laterally in the band 202. To prevent fraying or tearing, the slit 301 may be surrounded by a reinforcing stitching 302. In some embodiments, this may be accomplished by using an appropriate thread to sew a standard buttonhole stitch pattern in the band 202 material and then form slit 301 in the buttonhole stitches, as by cutting. The slits 301 are placed to correspond to the helmet retaining clips RC, and as depicted, allow the band 202 to reside in the clips below the lower member for securing on the helmet H. It will be appreciated that the number and placement of the slits 301 may correspond to the number and placement of the retaining clips RC on the helmet H with which the cover 100 will be used.

As shown in FIG. 3B, where a longer slit 301A may be desired, a removeable closure 304 may be used to seal a portion of the slit that is not in use. Suitable removable closures may include strips of hook and loop materials that can attach to the band 202 to close the slit 301A at a desired location. It will be appreciated that other closure materials may also be used. The use of longer sealable slits allows for a single cover with adjustable open portions of the slits to be used on helmets that have differing placements of the clips RC.

The band 202 may include additional slits formed like those in FIGS. 3A and 3B, that can be completely closed by removeable closures to allow for access to helmet H features that are covered by band 202. For example, where the helmet H includes attachment features for a visor or face shield, suitably sized slits may be present to allow access to these features through the cover 100 as may be needed.

FIGS, 3C, 3D, and 3E depict another embodiment where the band 202 is formed from two separate bands 2002A and 2002B that are aligned with another along a first direction, which may be considered generally horizontal, and joined by generally “vertical” cross members 303 which are joined to each of the bands 2002A and 2002B at intervals. Each slit 301 is defined by the space between the band 2002A and 2002B and the respective cross member 303. As depicted, the cross members may be formed from a textile or fabric piece that wraps on either side of the bands and is joined thereto by stitching or by the use of a suitable adhesive.

The slits 301A and dual band construction allow for greater flexibility in placement on a helmet H, including placement to clips RC and access to other features, as depicted in FIGS. 3C and 3D. It will be appreciated that a crossmember could be formed from a larger piece of elastic material, or a portion of the band, such as the portion that will be placed on the front of the helmet H, may have a larger section of textile adhered thereto to form a “signage” area for placement of a logo or other material.

For other helmet embodiments where the retaining clips RC do not include a lower member, but instead have resilient upper members that are pulled away from the helmet to place a headlamp band therebehind, the band 202 may simply be placed behind the retaining clips in a similar manner. It will be appreciated that in either usage, by engaging the band 202 with the clips RC, the band 202 and cover system 100 will be maintained in position on the protective helmet during use.

Returning to FIGS. 1A through 1C, disposed underneath the band 202 is the first protection portion 102. A front portion 104 of the first protection portion may be a relatively shorter strip of drapery that will be disposed to hang from the helmet H in a position aligned with the face of a user upon installation. This portion extends downwards a sufficient distance to be placed behind an eyeshield, when in use, but is short enough to remain above the user's eyes to allow for a complete range of vision.

First protection portion 102 may further include a rear portion 106 of draping material. As depicted, the rear portion may be formed of a single drapery (which may be formed by connected pieces to form a unitary whole) that extends around the band from the two side ends of front portion 104 and hangs from the helmet H to protect at least one of a user's mouth, neck, and/or ears when the cover 100 is coupled to the helmet H and worn by the user.

Protection portion 102 may be made of various materials that provide different types of protection for the user. For example, in one embodiment, the protection portion 102 may be made of an insulating material to insulate the user's mouth, neck, and/or ears from cold or hot temperatures. In another embodiment, the protection portion 102 may be made of a water resistant or waterproof material to protect the user's mouth, neck, and/or ears from dripping or running water. In yet another embodiment, the protection portion 102 may be made of a material that is fire retardant to protect the user from an open flame or extreme heat. It will be appreciated that a composite drapery with an outer waterproof layer and an inner insulating layer, such as fleece material overlaid with a shell may be used.

The rear portion 106 may include attachment features 105 to allow for connection to the facemask 154 as discussed further below. It may also include connectors for securing under a user's chin, to an adjustable anti-fog face piece for further securing or to combine multiple types of protection by protecting the user in extreme cold weather without restricting movement or blocking vision. It will be appreciated that any suitable fasteners may be used, including hook and loop fabric connectors. As depicted, at each side of the face, a chin protection extension 108 formed as an extending tab of material may extend forward and include a corresponding fastener 107 allowing the extensions to be joined together around or under a user's chin for protection or insulation.

A face mask 154 (a rear view of which in isolation is depicted in FIG. 4) may be connected to the rear portion 106 for additional protection. As shown, the facemask 154 may be formed as a sheet of material that protects a user's nose and/or mouth when coupled to the rear portion 106. As best depicted in FIG. 4, the facemask 154 includes attachments 205 disposed at opposing ends of the facemask 154. The attachments 205 are positioned on an inner surface of the sheet of material that makes up the facemask 154. The attachments 205 are alignable with and removably couplable to the counterpart fasteners 105 on the rear portion 106 to couple the facemask 154 thereto. As depicted, the counterpart fasteners 105 allows the position of the face mask 154 to be adjusted for the user's comfort by allowing variance in the distance in the relative overlap of the two protection elements.

The facemask 154 may include a nose extension portion 162 that extends from a top edge of the facemask 154. The nose extension portion 162 covers the user's nose when the facemask is installed. Because the nose extension portion 162 extends higher than the rest of the facemask, the user's vision is not inhibited by the facemask 154.

It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the facemask 154 may be integral with or otherwise permanently coupled to the rear portion. In one embodiment, it may be permanently joined on one side and able to be detachable to the opposite side either in front for use, or around the rear surface for storage, allowing it to be out of the way but rapidly deployed as needed. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the facemask 154 may include breathing vents 163 to allow the user to breathe through his or her nose.

Turning to FIGS. 2A and 2B, another illustrative embodiment of a protective headgear drapery system 10B in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure is depicted. As depicted, the system 10B is designed to secure to the helmet H via the headlamp retainer clips RC and is designed not to interfere with the suspension system or chinstrap of the helmet H. System 10B includes an outer cover 100B that stretches over the outer shell of the protective headgear and covers the back of the head, neck and ears with a thermal insulating material that protects against cold and also limits wind permeation and repels water.

As depicted, the outer cover 100B is a two-piece design which includes a first protection portion 102B and a face mask portion 154B. First protection portion 102B has an attachment portion 200B, that may include a band 202B which is configured to encircle and resiliently conform to the shape of the helmet H to position and help retain the cover 100B thereon. Band 202B and attachment portion 200B may interact with the helmet and retaining clips C and be constructed as has been discussed previously herein, in connection with FIGS. 1A through 1C, and 3A through 3E.

A front portion 104B of the first protection portion may be a relatively shorter strip of drapery that will be disposed to hang from the helmet H in a position aligned with the face of a user upon installation. This portion extends downwards a sufficient distance to be placed behind an eyeshield, when in use, but is short enough to remain above the user's eyes to allow for a complete range of vision.

First protection portion 102B may further include a rear portion 106B of draping material. As depicted, the rear portion may be formed of a single drapery (which may be formed by connected pieces to form a unitary whole) that extends around the band from the two side ends of front portion 1048 and hangs from the helmet H to protect at least one of a user's mouth, neck, and/or ears when the cover 100 is coupled to the helmet H and worn by the user.

Protection portion 102B may be made of various materials that provide different types of protection for the user. For example, in one embodiment, the protection portion 102B may be made of an insulating material to insulate the user's mouth, neck, and/or ears from cold or hot temperatures. In another embodiment, the protection portion 1028 may be made of a water resistant or waterproof material to protect the user's mouth, neck, and/or ears from dripping or running water. In yet another embodiment, the protection portion 1028 may be made of a material that is fire retardant to protect the user from an open flame or extreme heat. It will be appreciated that a composite drapery with an outer waterproof layer and an inner insulating layer, such as fleece material overlaid with a shell may be used.

The rear portion 106B may include attachment features 105B to allow for connection to the facemask 154B as discussed further below. It may also include connectors for securing under a user's chin, to an adjustable anti-fog face piece for further securing or to combine multiple types of protection by protecting the user in extreme cold weather without restricting movement or blocking vision. It will be appreciated that any suitable fasteners may be used, including hook and loop fabric connectors. As depicted, at each side of the face, a chin protection extension 1088 formed as an extending tab of material may extend forward and include a corresponding fastener 107B allowing the extensions to be joined together around or under a user's chin for protection or insulation.

A storage sleeve 109B may be disposed on a rear surface of the rear portion 106B. As depicted, the sleeve 109B may be formed from a flexible textile material, typically the same material as the protection portion 102B. It may be attached to the rear portion 106B along at least the top and bottom edges, with one or both sides open.

A face mask 154B may be connected to the rear portion 106B for additional protection. As shown, the facemask 154B may be formed as a sheet of material that protects a user's nose and/or mouth when coupled to the rear portion 106B. As depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the facemask 154B includes attachments for coupling to the rear portion 106B. As depicted in FIG. 2A, on a first side of the facemask 154B, a strap assembly 207B may be disposed for connection the rear portion 106B. As depicted, strap assembly 207B may include a first strap 213 with one end connected to the facemask 154B, a second strap 211 with one end connected to the rear portion 106B, and a buckle 215 used to adjustably connect straps to one another. In the depicted embodiment, the straps 213 and 211 may be formed from a suitable strapping material, such as a webbing, and the buckle 215 may be designed such that one strap is permanently secured thereto by a loop disposed on a portion thereof with the counterpart strap drawn through an adjustable retaining loop, allowing it to be securely retained in a desired position, with the secured position to be adjusted along the length of the strap. It will be appreciated that other buckles and straps which can be used to achieve the secured adjustability may be used. Additionally, embodiments where only a single strap that is secured to both the face mask 154B and the rear portion 106B, with or without a length adjustment feature are also contemplated.

Where length adjustment features, such as buckle 215, are present this can allow the position of the face mask 154B to be adjusted for the user's comfort by allowing variance in the distance in the relative overlap of the two protection elements. Additionally, as depicted in FIG. 2B, when not in use, the face mask can be folded and placed, or simply “stuffed” into the storage sleeve 109B. This allows the face mask 154B to be easily accessed as needed, without requiring additional storage or dangling in a user's way when not in use. The strap assembly 207B helps ensure the face mask 154B is not lost should it become dislodged from sleeve 109B.

As, depicted in FIG. 2B, the facemask 154B on the opposite side may include attachments 205B similar to those 205 of FIGS. 1 A through 1C. Attachment 205B may be positioned on an inner surface of the sheet of material that makes up the facemask 154B and be alignable with and removably couplable to a counterpart fastener 105B on the rear portion 106B to couple the facemask 154B thereto. As depicted, the counterpart fasteners 205B and 105B allow the position of the face mask 154B to be adjusted for the user's comfort by allowing variance in the distance in the relative overlap of the two protection elements.

Facemask 154B may include a nose extension portion 162B that extends from a top edge of the facemask 154B, similar to nose extension portion 162 discussed previously herein.

While this disclosure has been described using certain embodiments, it can be further modified while keeping within its spirit and scope. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practices in the art to which it pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pliable protection draping system for use with a safety helmet, comprising: a helmet engaging portion that contacts at least a portion of a safety helmet upon installation and a plurality of structures for removable attachment to preexisting clips disposed on the safety helmet; and a protection portion comprising a pliable material attached to the helmet engaging portion that drapes down past a rim of the helm to cover a portion of a user's head.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the helmet engaging portion comprises at least a first band of elastic material.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of structures for removable attachment to preexisting clips disposed on the safety helmet comprises a plurality of reinforced slits formed in the at least first band of elastic material.
 4. The system of claim 3, further comprising at least one removable closure for sealing a portion of a reinforced slit.
 5. The system of claim 2, wherein the helmet engaging portion further comprises a second band of elastic material, one side of the second band of elastic material attached to a side of the at least first band of elastic material another along their respective lengths.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of structures for removable attachment to preexisting clips disposed on comprises a plurality slits formed by spaces between the at least first band of elastic material and second band of elastic material.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the protection portion comprising a pliable material attached to the helmet engaging portion drapes down past a rim of the helm to cover at least one of a user's mouth, neck, and ears.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the protection portion comprises a draping material that covers the back of the user's head, neck and ears with a thermal insulating material.
 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a removable and adjustable face mask for protection of a user's face, the removable and adjustable face mask attachable to the protection portion.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the removable and adjustable face mask is constructed of a pliable draping material.
 11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a sleeve disposed on the protection portion on position disposed over a rear portion of a user's head, the sleeve having at least one open side and sized to receive the removable and adjustable face mask.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the protection position is constructed of a thermally insulating material.
 13. A pliable protection draping system for use with a safety helmet, comprising: a helmet engaging portion formed of a pliable material that contacts at least a portion of a safety helmet exterior surface upon installation and includes a plurality of slits formed therein for removable attachment to preexisting clips disposed on the safety helmet; and a protection portion comprising a pliable material attached to the helmet engaging portion that drapes down past a rim of the helm to cover a portion of a user's head.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the helmet engaging portion comprises at least a first band of elastic material.
 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the protection portion comprises a draping material that covers the back of the user's head, neck and ears with a thermal insulating material.
 16. The system of claim 13, further comprising a removable and adjustable face mask for protection of a user's face, the removable and adjustable face mask attachable to the protection portion.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the removable and adjustable face mask is constructed of a pliable draping material.
 18. The system of claim 17, further comprising a sleeve disposed on the protection portion on position disposed over a rear portion of a user's head, the sleeve having at least one open side and sized to receive the removable and adjustable face mask.
 19. The system of claim 16, wherein the removable and adjustable face mask is attached to the protection portion by at least a first adjustable strap assembly.
 20. The system of claim 16, wherein the removable and adjustable face mask is attachable to the protection portion by overlapping corresponding hook and loop connectors disposed thereon. 